Threatened tree conservation in the Southern Yungas of Argentina

Regeneration of 3 globally threatened and other locally threatened tree species in the Southern Yungas of Argentina

Partner: Fundación para la Conservación y Estudio de la Biodiversidad
Years: 2022-2025

The goal of this project is to improve the natural regeneration of the 3 globally threatened, Amburana cearensis (EN), Jacaranda mimosifolia (VU), and Handroanthus lapacho (VU), and other locally threatened tree species of the Southern Yungas of Argentina to ensure their long-term survival.

The piedmont forest is the most threatened forest ecosystem of Argentina. Recent assessment indicates that in Argentina currently less than 10% of its original cover remains due to a rapid transformation as agriculture expands and that less than 5% is protected. This piedmont forest is home of three globally threatened tree species, Amburana cearensis (EN), Jacaranda mimosifolia (VU), and Handroanthus lapacho (VU), and other locally threatened tree species suffering from very low recruitment due to high mortality of saplings caused by cattle trampling and grazing, as well as collateral damages in logging operations. Therefore, the project aims at protecting the saplings in situ with meshes to improve saplings survival and the species recruitment in at least 300 ha of forests that still contains mature individuals of threatened tree species targeted and restore another 300 ha of degraded forest where no mature individuals occur. The project aims also at involving at least 100 local community members in seed collection efforts, nurseries management, enrichment planting and post-planting maintenance of the restored areas.